PStwo Questions

[CosmicMonkey]

Well, I've finally decided to get a PS2. I'm looking at the new SCPH-90000 versions (v.18?) with the built-in PSU as I'd like a BNIB one, and I see they've changed the case design slightly.

As I'll be getting a Japanese system, I'm wondering if it's possible to change the language of the 'Dashboard' to English? Will this activate English language mode on any games that have the option, or will I still have to navigate the in-game menus?

What's the deal with the USB sockets on a PStwo. Can I use any USB joypads? Basically, I'll be building an Arcade stick and I'm wondering what my options are for pad hacking; PStwos are fuly compatible with PSone pads?

I see that none of the modchips currently support these new versions of the console. As and when they do, what's my best option? I have absolutely no interest in Dev mode or any of the bells and whistles. I just want direct boot (no swapping disks) of PS2 games from all regions. I'm getting the system for all the fighting games like Arcana Heart, Melty Blood, Guilty Gear etc., hence me wanting a Japanese system. But I'd at least like to have the option of chipping the system if I am sat in one place long enough to play one of the many RPGs.

Anyone got one of these new PStwos? How are they for reliability?

[VACRMH]

Don't have the system, but I just wanted to let you know Arcana Heart is coming out here.

http://www.atlus.com/arcanaheart/

[CosmicMonkey]

By 'here' you mean the US. I'm in Blighty chap, not a chance of seeing that over here.

[VACRMH]

By 'here' you mean the US. I'm in Blighty chap, not a chance of seeing that over here.

Doh... Sorry about that.

[josekortez]

Yeah, you can change the menus to English on the Japanese PStwos. I have had a ceramic white slim one since last March (bought from playasia.com), and a slim black one since the previous December and I love them both. The game names on the Japanese memory card screen don't change to English, though.

I haven't tried to use a USB joystick on PStwo, but I have seen one on playasia.com that supposedly works for PC, PS2, and PS3. I'm a bit skeptical about it working with games because the only time I've ever used the USB ports are for games like Resident Evil: Dead Aim where you can use a mouse.

Anyway, back to the slims: they are more portable than the original fat PS2. Is it worth buying one for fighters? Yeah, except that many of the SNK games and the aforementioned Arcana Heart are coming to the US within the next few months. Now, if you ever want to play Sexy Mahjong Party, a Japanese PS2 is definitely the way to go...

[Poofta!]

i know for fact that the first champions game (of norrath) does NOT work on the slim ps2 about 80% of the time. works great on my fatty though.

[Leo_A]

Why would you be getting a Japanese system instead of a North American one?

Edit - Nevermind, I missed that part of your explanation.

[yok-dfa]

Try to get an old model PS2 (the big one). Then you can use HDLoader/HDAdvance to boot games from any region from a HD (works with 98% of all games) and you don't need to mod your console

[CosmicMonkey]

Ok, so I have some more questions regarding the video output.

I understand PAL games have a 50/60Hz option. Is this on all games, or just certain ones? Is there a list of games with a PAL 60 mode?

If I run US/Japanese games on a chipped PAL system, they'll just straight output a 60Hz signal?

And does any of this 50/60Hz business still apply if I'm running the system via 480p component into my LCD telly?

I have no interest in an older system, I want one of the slimline PStwo models. I just want to know what my best option is for a fully multi-region system.